Family Offices Have Increased Private Jet Usage
A new Airbus Corporate Jets study highlights a global surge in private aviation for investment management.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Business Travel
Live Poll
Would you prioritize faster, private travel options to increase your personal productivity during business trips?
Family offices have significantly ramped up their use of private aircraft to manage global assets and navigate international expansion. Executives report that these flights are essential for maintaining productivity while accessing remote destinations.
Why it matters
The shift toward private aviation reflects a growing need for global mobility as family offices expand into new jurisdictions to mitigate risk. Increased access for staff ensures these firms can effectively manage decentralized portfolios across borders.
Family offices now conduct 70% of their aviation travel via private aircraft, with 67% of trips directed to locations without commercial service. Executives report saving two to three hours per trip and achieving 25% higher productivity on private flights.
The players
Airbus Corporate Jets
This is a specialized division of the international aerospace corporation that provides aircraft configured for private, corporate, and government clients.
The details
Family offices have expanded their footprint by opening new offices in different jurisdictions, a move driven by 90% of respondents citing family members relocating abroad. To facilitate this global growth, firms are granting more staff members access to private aircraft while prioritizing flexibility to work during flight hours.
Timeline
Over the past five years, family offices have opened new jurisdictional offices.
During the past two years, executive use of private jets has trended upward.
Over the next two years, respondents anticipate that private jet usage will continue to climb.
Over the next three years, family members are expected to reside in an increasing number of different countries.
Travel Outlook
This trend follows the rise of decentralized family office global operations, where geographic expansion necessitates high-frequency international travel. The shift marks a departure from reliance on commercial hubs as private aviation becomes the standard for cross-border asset management.
Business travelers should note that the expansion of private aviation often targets locations underserved by commercial carriers, potentially shifting flight demand away from major hubs. Travelers may find that peak demand for smaller airfields continues to grow as firms prioritize productivity over traditional airline routes.
The takeaway
The sustained growth in private aviation highlights how modern wealth management is increasingly tethered to global mobility requirements. Firms that leverage private aircraft to bridge geographic gaps are effectively treating flight time as an extension of the office environment.
Further reading
For more on the logistics of corporate transport, visit our section on Business Travel.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Corporate Jet Investor.
Live Poll
Would you prioritize faster, private travel options to increase your personal productivity during business trips?
